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LTC Tyrek Swaby – Professor of Military Science

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Tyrek Swaby is from Texas City, TX. He has been the Professor of Military Science for Grambling State University since July 2024, where he oversees the Army ROTC program at Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. LTC Swaby holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Science Degree in Chemistry (Organic Chemistry) from the University of Houston.

He commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Armor Branch in May 2004. His initial assignment upon completion of the Armor Officer Basic Course was in Fort Hood, TX as a Scout Platoon Leader and later Troop Executive Officer in B Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry. Upon completion of the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, he returned to Fort Hood Texas and served as a Battle Captain, S3 Plans Officer, and Assistant S3 in 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery and 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry. He would next take command of B Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry and move the unit to Fort Carson, CO.

Upon completion of command and graduate school, he served as a chemistry instructor and assistant course director at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. As a field grade officer, LTC Swaby served as a G35 Planner at the 3rd Infantry Division, Battalion Executive Officer for 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry, and Battalion Executive Officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division all at Fort Stewart, GA.

LTC Swaby would go on to serve at U.S. Army Central in Shaw Air Force Base, SC as a G33 Operations Officer, Deputy Chief of Operations, and finally as the Executive Officer to the G-3/5/7. Most recently he has served at the U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command in Fort Bliss, TX as Deputy Chief of Future Operations, Chief of Experimentation Control, and finally Chief of Plans.

LTC Swaby has deployed in support of Operation Iraq Freedom (Taji, Iraq and Baghdad, Iraq), Operation Enduring Freedom (Badghis, Afghanistan), and Operation Freedom Sentinel (Bagram, Afghanistan)

His military education includes Armor Officer Basic Course, Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, the Command and General Staff College, Cavalry Leader’s Course, Airborne School, and the Red Team Member Course.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (5 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Parachutist Bade, and the Combat Action Badge. He also permanently awarded the following unit awards: the Joint Meritorious Unit Award (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Valorous Unit Award (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Meritorious Unit Citation.

 

MAJ Marquita Cash – Assistant Professor of Military Science

CPT Marquita A. Cash enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard in 2001 into Co B 769th EN BDE.  She attended the Louisiana Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in August of 2009 as an Engineer Officer. Her first assignment was a Platoon Leader in DET 1 844th EN CO where she supported Operation New Horizons in the midst of the BP Oil Spill. Since then, CPT Cash has served in numerous leadership positions. She served as a platoon leader in DET 1 1020th EN CO and 1020th EN CO where she led her platoon in support of Operation Bon Voizen in Haiti. In 2013 she was assigned as the Executive officer for HHC 527 EN BN where she excelled in the challenging position, resulting in her being awarded the opportunity to lead HHC 527th EN BN as the company commander in November of 2016. Upon relinquishing command in 2019, CPT Cash deployed with the 225th EN BDE as the SARC/VA and a BDE Plans Officer. CPT Cash returned from her deployment and served as the 527th EN BN S4, and later as the Rear Detachment commander for 1022nd EVCC.

CPT Cash holds a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Louisiana State University @ Shreveport and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Northwestern State University. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Educational Leadership from Louisiana State University. CPT Cash resides in Shreveport, LA with her husband of 10 years, Travis Cash and their two children, Justin and Maya.

 

CPT Ketrick English – Assistant Professor of Military Science

CPT Ketrick T. English is from Fort Lauderdale, FL. He graduated from Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University in August 2014, with a Bachelor’s of Science in History. He commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserves as a Transportation Officer. Following graduation from Transportation Basic Officer Course, he was assigned to 939th Inland Cargo Transfer Company, where he served as a Platoon Leader in 2015. In 2016 CPT English served as the Movement Control Officer for the 573rd Movement Control Team. In 2017 CPT English transitioned to active duty, and was assigned to 142D Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, TX. He deployed to Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve as a Platoon Leader in 2017, and the Border Support Mission in Tucson, AZ in 2018 as the Company Executive Officer for the 47th Heavy Composite Truck Company.

Upon graduation Logistics Captain Career Course in 2020, CPT English served as the Assistant Brigade S4 in 3D Brigade Combat Team, 82D Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. In May of 2022 CPT English took command of Company H, 2-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3D Brigade Combat Team, 82D Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. During command he deployed his Company to Poland in support of Operation Assure Deter and Reinforce in 2022.

CPT English’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3 oak leaf clusters), Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (3 oak leaf clusters), and the Parachutist Badge. He is married to Mrs. Lata English, and a son Josiah.

 

CPT Ethan Lutz – Assistant Professor of Military Science

CPT Lutz serves as the Patton Intern for the Tiger Battalion and teaches the MS3 courses. He mentors to enrolled and contracted Cadets; coaches and teaches Cadets in leadership positions in the Cadet Battalion Headquarters staff and in leadership positions at Cadet Company and Platoon level. CPT Lutz conducts preparation, coordination and execution of the USACC Cadet Leader Development Strategy on-campus MSL I – IV curriculum and associated labs, Army and USACC Surveys, leadership activities and field training exercises.  He develops training plans, budget inputs and coordination requirements to support the on and off campus training events.

 

SFC Thomas Mitchell Jr. – Military Science Instructor

SFC Mitchell was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on May 11th, 1975. He attended Jacksonville Senior High School, where he earned his diploma May of 1993. In 2005 he completed his Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice at Coastal Carolina and an Associates Degree in Computer Information Systems in 2007. On February 14th, 2008, SFC Mitchell enlisted into the United States Army. He attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina; later that year, he attended Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he graduated as a 13B Field Artillery Soldier.

SFC Mitchell has held various positions as an Artilleryman to include; Ammunition Handler, Ammunition Team Chief, Cannoneer, Gunner, Section Chief, Gunny, and Platoon Sergeant. His first duty station was Fort Hood, Texas, assigned to Bravo 1-82 FAR 1st CAV 2nd BCT. His broadening assignments consisted of  Battalion Schools (NCOIC) and a Squad Leader during his tenure at Fort Carson, Colorado; while assigned to 3-16th  FAR 2ND BDE 4th ID,  he continued to Fort Sill, Oklahoma as the Training Room NCO/ Cadre assigned to  Delta 1-79 434th. SFC Mitchell returned to a line at his next duty station Fort Drum, New York, assigned to Charlie 2-15 FA 10th Mountain Division where he served as a Section Chief and Gunnery Sergeant.  SFC Mitchell’s next assignment as a Platoon Sergeant at Fort Riley, Kansas, was assigned to 1-7 FA 2nd Brigade Combat Team 1st Infantry Division. SFC Mitchell is currently a member of the 6th Brigade Tigers (Grambling State University), where he serves as a Military Science Instructor.  He has deployed twice, once to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2009-2010) and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (2011-2012), both 12-month tours and one nine-month rotational deployment to South Korea (2020).

SFC Mitchell has completed Master Educators Course, Senior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Master Resiliency Course, and Equal Opportunity Course. His short-term goals are to continue expanding his military and civilian education; Long term goal is to be Sergeant Major of the Army.

SFC Mitchell’s awards and decorations include Meritorious Unit Citation(1 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1 silver OLC and 1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4OLC),  Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), Nato Defense Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon (#2), Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (#3), Army Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign  Medal, Korean Defense Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a Drivers Badge.

 

SFC Kody Freeman – Military Science Instructor

SFC Freeman was born in Decatur, Georgia, on June 22, 1995. He attended Alcovy High School, where he earned his diploma May of 2014. On September 16, 2014, SFC Freeman enlisted into the United States Army. He attended Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia; later that year, he attended Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he graduated as a 3B Filed Artillery Cannon Crew Member.

SFC Freeman has held various positions as an Artilleryman to include; Ammunition Handler, Ammunition Team Chief, Cannoneer, Gunner, Section Chief, Gunner Sergeant, and Platoon Sergeant. His first duty station was at Fort Polk, Louisiana, assigned to Charlie Battery 5-25 FAR, 3 BCT, 10th Mountain Division. He continued to Fort Stewart, Georgia, assigned to 1-41 FA, 1 ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division. SFC Freeman is currently a member of the 6th Brigade Tigers (Grambling State University), where he serves as a Military Science Instructor.  He has deployed twice, once to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2017) and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (2018), both nine-month tours, one rotational deployment to South Korea (2021), and one rotational deployment to Germany (2022).

SFC Freeman has completed Air Assault, Senior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Master Fitness Trainer, Master Resiliency Course, and Equal Opportunity Course. His short-term goals are to continue expanding his military and civilian education; Long term goal is to be Sergeant Major of the Army.

SFC Freeman’s awards and decorations include Meritorious Unit Citation(1 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1 silver OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 silver OLC and 1 C Device),  Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), Nato Defense Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon (#2), Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (#3), Army Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign  Medal, Korean Defense Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a Drivers Badge.

 

Antonio Tims – Recruiting Operations Officer

Antonio Tims serves as the key point of contact with the Professor of Military Science regarding recruitments and scholarship management for the Grambling Army ROTC program. Antonio also is responsible for recruiting events, marketing, and advertising of the ROTC program. He supports and attends high school speaking engagements, career fairs, and a host of engagements that bridges the ROTC program to other activities, programs, JROTC schools, community services, and institutions.

Mr. Tims began working in SROTC in 2010 as an instructor until 2013 when began serving in his current role. He was born in Monroe, LA and graduated from Neville High School. Mr. Tims received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and commissioned as an engineer officer in May of 2010 from the Grambling Army ROTC program. Mr. Tims holds a Master’s of Business Administration concentrated in Project Management as well as the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Antonio enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard in 1999 as a 12T, Technical Engineering Specialist, in the 528th Engineer Battalion. Antonio has been in Army service for more than 24 years and currently serves as the Operations Officer, S3, for the 528th Engineer Battalion.

 

Reggie Walker – Logistics Technician

Office: (318) 274.3877
Email: walkerr@gram.edu

Mr. Walker is the logistics central point of contact for the Grambling State University Army ROTC Program, which also incorporates Louisiana Tech and University of Louisiana-Monroe Army ROTC Programs. Mr. Walker collaborates with local National Guard entities for logistical support of the ROTC program.

Mr. Walker holds a master’s degree in criminal justice and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Grambling State University. Mr. Walker hails from Sacramento, CA, and has five children. He served in the United States Army and retired with 32 years of honorable service. Mr. Walker has been with the Grambling State Army ROTC Program since December 2013. He is an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

 

Daphne Sherlock – Human Resources Administrator

Sherlock is the point of contact for all Human Resources issues for the Grambling State University ROTC Program to also include Louisiana Tech and the University of Louisiana, Monroe.  She is retired from the United States Marine Corps after 22 years of service and has been with the AROTC detachment at Grambling since May of 2017.

Daphne graduated from Ruston High School and has a BA in Business Administration and Master’s degrees in both Public Administration and Human Resources. She is a member of Golden Key International Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, Salute Honor Society, Sigma Beta Delta, and the Marine Corps League.  She is married to Brad Sherlock and they have one daughter, Jessica.